Common Smoothhound
Mustelus mustelus
FR Emissole tachetée · ES Musola lisa · PT Cação-liso · IT Palombo · DE Glatter Hai
Also known as: SmoothhoundMusola lisaEmissole tachetéeGlatter HaiPalomboCação-liso
BenthicShoreBoat
Shark
Score
—
Prime time
Evening and night tides, mid-flood
Depth
0–100m
Platform
Shore & boat
Season
JanMarJunSepDec
Peak May–AugGood Apr–Sep
Depth range
0–100mDeep
Best fishing techniques
Bottom fishing / ledgering85%
Preferred seabed
Sand
Findr bio
Slope cruiser — inside mangrove channels and rides pressure waves for ambush; Stickbaits Ripped And Paused.
How to catch
Favourite hangouts
EstuarySandy beachShallow waterWreck reef
Recommended baits
CrabPrawns
Diet
CrabShrimpSmall fishSquidOctopus
Effective techniques
Bottom FishingRunning LedgerSurfcasting
Gear
Best times
DuskNightMid flood
I give birth to live pups after nursing them through a placenta — no eggs, no fuss.
Field notes
Where to find them
Sand and mixed ground near crab habitat, NE Atlantic
Where they hang out
Nearshore, 3–20 m
Prime time
Evening and night tides, mid-flood
Tide game
High; feeds hardest on a good flooding tide
What they're into
Peeler and hardback crab; eats crabs, shrimp
Temperature vibe
Prefers 17–22°C, more active in warmer months
Fave weather
Settled conditions best; avoid heavy surf
Fun fact about me
Polite shark with table manners — prefers crabs to chaos.
Dinner material?
8/10Solid dinner choice
Play by the rules
Some areas require release of pregnant females — check locallyRegional/national fisheries authority (e.g. UK IFCA)
Looking after them
Least Concern